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For most U.S. Roku TV owners, five apps cover the basics without adding five more monthly bills: The Roku Channel, YouTube, Tubi, Pluto TV, and Plex. Together they offer free on-demand shows and movies, live channels, online video, and a way to watch a personal media library. Free usually means ad-supported, and availability can vary by country, Roku model, and software version.
Roku’s Streaming Store has thousands of apps, so “essential” here means broadly useful, easy to access, and distinct from the others—not simply famous. Check your Home screen first: The Roku Channel may already be installed.
1. The Roku Channel: the easiest place to start
Best for: Free general entertainment and a central hub for live channels.
The Roku Channel brings together free, ad-supported movies and television, Roku Originals, live channels, and kids’ and family programming. It is a natural first stop on a Roku TV and may already be on your Home screen. If it is not, search for it in the Streaming Store.
#1 Best Overall
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
Its free selection does not mean every title or feature in the app is free. Premium subscriptions and paid content can appear alongside free programming; check the labels before playing or signing up. The catalog changes, and availability can vary by location. Roku describes its free viewing options in its free movies and TV support guide and Roku Channel overview.
Why it earns a spot: It combines on-demand viewing and a live-TV guide, with little setup for someone already using Roku. Main trade-off: Ads, a changing catalog, and some paid offerings alongside free ones. If you mainly want live channels, Pluto TV or Xumo Play may suit you better.
2. YouTube: video beyond streaming catalogs
Best for: Creator videos, music, tutorials, news clips, and other user-uploaded video.
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Standard YouTube is useful whether or not you pay for streaming services. Search makes it easy to find a how-to, music video, interview, or clip that may not belong in a conventional movie-and-TV catalog. YouTube is supported on Roku, though the experience and features can differ on older or lower-memory models; see YouTube’s Roku device information.
Rank #2
- Ultra-speedy streaming: Roku Ultra is 30% faster than any other Roku player, delivering a lightning-fast interface and apps that launch in a snap.
- Cinematic streaming: This TV streaming device brings the movie theater to your living room with spectacular 4K, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision picture alongside immersive Dolby Atmos audio.
- The ultimate Roku remote: The rechargeable Roku Voice Remote Pro offers backlit buttons, hands-free voice controls, and a lost remote finder.
- No more fumbling in the dark: See what you’re pressing with backlit buttons.
- Say goodbye to batteries: Keep your remote powered for months on a single charge.
Keep YouTube separate from YouTube TV. YouTube is the video app; YouTube TV is a separate paid live-TV service with channels, sports, local availability and cloud DVR features. Installing YouTube does not unlock YouTube TV’s channels. YouTube TV has its own Roku installation instructions, and Google’s YouTube TV membership information distinguishes it from YouTube Premium. Check the provider’s current plan and price before subscribing.
Main trade-offs: Video quality and reliability vary by uploader, advertisements are common, and recommendations may need account or parental-control settings to suit a household. Consider PBS for public-media programming, or YouTube TV if you specifically want paid live television.
3. Tubi: free movies and shows on demand
Best for: Searching for something to watch without starting another monthly subscription.
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Rank #3
- 4K streaming made simple:With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- 4K picture quality: With Roku Streaming Stick Plus, watch your favorites with brilliant 4K picture and vivid HDR color.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
The selection is licensed and changes over time. Tubi is not a reliable source for every new theatrical release or premium original, and a title mentioned in an old article may no longer be available. Check the title in the app or at Tubi rather than relying on a dated listing.
Main trade-offs: Ad breaks and a rotating catalog. If you want scheduled, lean-back viewing rather than choosing a title, try Pluto TV or the Roku Channel’s live guide.
4. Pluto TV: free channel surfing
Best for: Turning on a live channel and browsing a traditional program guide.
Pluto TV pairs free, ad-supported live channels with on-demand programming. Its channel-grid format is useful when you want background viewing or do not have a specific title in mind. The service is free to use in its supported markets, with advertising; see the current offering at Pluto TV.
Rank #4
- Stunning 4K and Dolby Vision streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
Pluto TV is not simply an on-demand subscription catalog. A scheduled program may not be available to start from the beginning or play whenever you want, and channels and schedules can change. If you want to search for a specific free movie, Tubi is usually the more direct choice.
Tubi or Pluto TV?
| What you want | Better starting point |
|---|---|
| Search for a free movie or show | Tubi |
| Browse a live channel guide | Pluto TV |
| Watch something without another standard monthly subscription | Either; expect ads |
| A specific premium original | Usually neither; check the rights holder’s service |
| Traditional channel-surfing | Pluto TV |
5. Plex: for your own media library
Best for: People who have legally obtained video or music files and want them organized for playback on the TV.
Plex can connect a Roku app to a personal library hosted on a computer, NAS, or other supported device running Plex Media Server. It can also offer free, ad-supported programming where available. For people who already have a media collection, Plex adds a personal-library option that the other apps on this list do not. Start with Plex Media Server downloads and the service information at Plex.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Installing the Roku app alone does not create or fill a personal library. For personal-media playback, the server must be installed and running, the Roku app must be signed into the appropriate account, and the devices need to communicate over the network. Your computer or NAS may need to stay on while you watch. Setup and playback can depend on the server hardware, network, and file organization.
Best Value
- Streaming made easy: Roku Express lets you stream free, live and premium TV over the Internet—right to your TV. It’s perfect for new users, secondary TVs and easy gifting—but powerful enough for seasoned pros
- Quick and easy setup: Just plug it into your TV with the included High Speed HDMI Cable and connect to the internet to get started
- Tons of power, tons of fun: Compact and power-packed, you’ll stream your favorites with ease; from movies and series on Apple TV, Prime Video, Netflix, The Roku Channel, HBO, Showtime and Google Play to cable alternatives like Hulu with Live TV and PlayStation Vue, enjoy the most talked about TV across free and paid channels
- Low cost, no extra fees: For under $30, Roku Express streaming device includes a High Speed HDMI Cable—and there’s no monthly equipment fee; with access to free TV on hundreds of channels, there’s plenty to stream without spending extra
- Simple remote: Incredibly easy to use, this remote features shortcut buttons to popular streaming channels
Main trade-off: Plex takes more setup than simply opening Tubi or Pluto TV, and some features may require a paid plan. It is a poor fit if you do not own personal media and only want instant free streaming. PBS, PBS KIDS, or a library-linked service such as Kanopy or Hoopla may be a more useful fifth app for some households.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose a different fifth app if your household has a specific need
- Public broadcasting, documentaries, or educational children’s programming: Try PBS Video or PBS KIDS. The free app and PBS Passport are not the same thing: Passport eligibility and benefits are determined by participating local stations, and free content or live streams can vary. Check PBS Help and PBS Passport.
- Local news: Look for your local station’s app, or consider a news aggregator such as Haystack News or Local Now where available.
- Sports: Install the relevant league or broadcaster app if you follow a particular sport. YouTube TV and other live-TV subscriptions may be options, but check channel availability and current pricing for your location.
- Library-based free streaming: Kanopy and Hoopla may be available through a participating public library.
- Music and podcasts: Consider Spotify, Pandora, or YouTube Music if listening is your main use.
- Premium originals or cable replacement: Add a paid service only if its catalog or live channels justify the recurring cost. Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, Paramount+, Apple TV+, and live-TV services are options, not requirements for making a Roku TV useful.
Install, arrange, or remove apps
On most current Roku TV interfaces, install an app this way:
- Press Home on the Roku remote.
- Open Streaming Store. Some older interfaces call this area Streaming Channels.
- Browse or search for the app by name, then open its detail page.
- Select Add app and complete any account sign-in or subscription steps you choose.
The app is generally added to the bottom of the Home-screen grid; highlight it and use the remote’s * button, then choose Move app, to reposition it. To remove an app, highlight it, press *, choose Remove app, and confirm. Menu wording can vary slightly by Roku OS version.
Roku also supports adding apps through its Streaming Store website or the Roku mobile app. Roku’s app installation guide explains the options. Roku TV has the Roku platform built into the television; Roku players and sticks use the same general app ecosystem, but hardware, storage, performance, and supported features can differ. Older models may not support every app or feature.
If an app does not appear or install
- Confirm the TV is connected to the internet and search the exact app name.
- Check that the app is offered in your country and supports your Roku model.
- Restart the TV or check for a Roku software update.
- Check that your Roku account and device regions are compatible.
- Try adding the app from the Roku website if it is not easy to find on the TV.
Know what you are paying for
Adding an app does not automatically buy a subscription. Free services on this list generally include advertising, while some apps also present paid subscriptions, rentals, or premium tiers. Read the offer shown in the app before confirming a purchase.
Removing an app is not necessarily the same as canceling its subscription. How you manage a subscription depends on whether you signed up through Roku or directly with the service; Roku explains the distinction in its subscription and billing guidance. If a child uses the TV, review account, payment, PIN, and parental-control settings as well as the controls inside individual services.
For a typical U.S. Roku TV owner, the practical starting set is The Roku Channel for a hub, YouTube for online video, Tubi for on-demand free viewing, Pluto TV for live-channel browsing, and Plex if there is a personal library to serve. Swap Plex for PBS, local news, or another app if that better fits your household. Catalogs, features, and app availability can change, so check the Roku Store and service listings for your device and location.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
